The magic was never missing. We were just moving too fast to notice it.
Lately, I’ve found myself watching videos about what some people are calling “The Great American Sleepover” as visitors from around the world arrive for the World Cup.
I didn’t expect to enjoy them as much as I have.
Some have made me laugh out loud. Others have made me a little emotional watching people experience the magic of our country through fresh eyes.
People are discovering the things that many of us barely notice anymore. They’re excited about free refills. They can’t stop talking about Waffle House. They’re fascinated by Walmart. They’re documenting salsa and chips arriving at the table before a meal like it’s a magic trick.
And honestly, it’s been a wonderful reminder.
Sometimes the things that feel ordinary to us are actually pretty extraordinary.
All it takes is a little reflection to see them again.
As we reach the halfway point of 2026, I’ve been doing some reflecting of my own.
The first six months of this year have been full.
I’ve had the opportunity to speak to thousands of people across nearly a dozen industries. I’ve traveled across the country sharing ideas about leadership, culture, burnout, joy, and the power of how we show up and influence the people around us.
I’ve made progress on my next book, started my PhD in Organizational Leadership, updated my website, refined my message, made mistakes…and then made a few more. I’ve also been putting more short videos on YouTube, which continues to push me outside my comfort zone. I’d much rather stand in front of a room full of people than talk to a camera.
I’ve learned from storytelling experts in New York. I traveled to Washington, D.C. to spend time with fellow keynote speakers who are committed to getting better at their craft. I’ve started working with a speaking agent based in Kansas City. And perhaps most importantly, I’ve been reminded that no matter how much progress we make, there is always another level of learning, practice, and growth available.
The funny thing is that when I look back at the last six months, there isn’t one giant moment that created the progress.
It was showing up.
One speech.
One conversation.
One flight.
One video.
One lesson.
One uncomfortable step forward at a time.
And that’s what I keep coming back to.
Whether your year is off to an amazing start or whether you’ve spent part of it laying low, catching your breath, or figuring out what’s next, progress often looks more ordinary than we think.
It’s easy to underestimate what can happen when we simply keep doing the thing.
Keep learning the thing.
Keep practicing the thing.
Keep refining the thing.
One tiny adjustment.
One new insight.
One small act of courage at a time.
When we pause to reflect, we often discover that we’ve come much farther than we realized.
And maybe that’s the lesson from both the World Cup visitors and a mid-year reflection.
The magic was never missing.
We were just moving too fast to notice it.
Here’s to showing up and finding the magic in today!